Scrumptious Dishes of Chennai That You Shouldn’t Miss

Swati Arora blog post April 17, 2024

Image: Source

People are just crazy about the taste of Chennai delicacies from idlis, sambhar rice, dosa, bajji and pongal. The city houses number of restaurants and hotels that serves the best of Chennai food. However, the city boasts many street foods for which it is popular, but you must try these 10 dishes in Chennai that will make you drool.

01. Idlis

Image: Source

It is one of the staple foods in Tamil Nadu that is loved and eaten by every local people. Idli is available on almost every restaurant and street vendors. Sambar and Coconut chutney are served with idli to enhance the taste of this delectable dish.

Where to eat: Idly Express, Idly Factory, Murugan Idli Kadai, Balaji Bhavan, etc

02. Sambhar Rice

Image: Source

Who doesn’t like sambar? It adds taste to everything from dosa, idli, Vda and rice.  Made with multi-boiled vegetables and spices, it add flavor to every dish. Sambar rice is mouth-watering in taste that is available on every street of Chennai.

Where to eat: Annalakshmi Restaurant, Adyar Ananda Bhavan A2B, Sangeetha Veg Restaurant

03. Masala Dosa

Image: Source

There are different types of dosa available in Chennai stuffed with potatoes, fried onions, paneer, cabbage and spices. The masala dosa is very common and loved by the crowd. It is available in cheap prices in Chennai.

Where to eat: Murugan Idli Kadai, Rathna Café, Remix Dosa, Dosart, etc.

04. Bajji

Image: Source

It is loved by almost every person in Chennai and is mostly available on the beach side. Most of the people prefer molaga bajjis while having a evening walk along the sea shore. Eat Vazhaka and Urulai Kilanku Baji with coconut chutney to taste it differently.

Where to eat: Mak N Bajji Shop, Mylapore JAnnal Kadai Window Bajji stall, Jalpaan, etc

05. Adai

Image: Source

It is a type of pancake that looks like dosa and prepared from chana dal, urad dal and toor dal. One can have it in breakfast, lunch or dinner with jaggery. People of Chennai eat this awesome dish with lots of passion.

Where to eat: Sangeetha Veg Restaurant, Café Sri Krishna, Sree Akshyyam, etc.

06. Kuzhi Paniyaram

Image: Source

This is a steamed/fried fluffy dish prepared with idly batter. It is best served with sambar and green chutney. Also, jaggery syrup is used to give it a sweet taste. It is definitely a good choice for sweet lovers.

Where to eat: Dakshina Puram, The old madras café, Murugan Idli Shop

07. Pongal

Image: Source

Pongal can be prepared sweet or spicy according to your taste buds. It is mostly served with sambar or chutney to enhance the flavor. It is a breakfast choice of most of the tamilians and madrasans. Also, it is distributed as prasadam in many temples of Chennai.

Where to eat: Balaji Bhavan, Murugan Idli Kadai, Hotel Anjanaas, Sangeetha Veg Res., etc.

08. Idiyappam

Image: Source

Idiyappam looks like noodles but is prepared with rice flour and is served with coconut milk and curry. This is a popular breakfast dish in Southern India that is loved by each and every person. Do visit Kaaraikudi, Kozhi Idli and ID to have the best of Idiyappam dish.

Where to eat: Kozhi Idli, Kaaraikudi, Rathna café, The Kandyan

09. Murukku

Image: Source

It is a deep-fried snack sold in the streets of Chennai. Murukku is made from rice flour, cumin seeds, and gram flour and is served with tea. It shapes like jalebi and tastes crispy in flavor. You can also have Murukku sandwich that contains tomato, cucumber and mint chutney.

Where to eat: Nanjil Murukku Kadai, Murukku shop, Links, etc.

10. Full meal

Image: Source

If you are exploring the taste of Chennai, don’t miss out Full meal (lunch) on plantain leaf that is served to all the relatives and guest in Chennai. A typical plantain leaf meal includes rice, porials, rasam, curd, kuzhambu and sweet dish.

Where to eat: A2B, Rathna Café, Saracvana Bhavan

If you are foodie, you should not miss these delectable delicacies of Chennai. Book your flights to Chennai to take a culinary ride.  You cannot get the authentic taste of Chennai dishes that you will get here.  

blog post Share
Location Icon From
  • Flight

    {{fra.City}}

    {{fra.AirportName}}

    {{fra.Country}}
Location Icon To
  • Flight

    {{to.City}}

    {{to.AirportName}}

    {{to.Country}}

blog post Departure Date

blog post Travellers & class
1 Traveler
Location Icon Enter City name
  • Flight

    {{hca.name}}

blog post Check-In

blog post Check-Out

blog post Guests & Room
{{hotelGuest}} Guests {{totalRoom}} Room
Location Icon From
Cities
  • blog post

Location Icon To
Cities
  • blog post

blog post Pickup Date

Pickup Time

Location Icon Source City
Location Icon Destination City
blog postDeparture Date
Location Icon Source City
Location Icon Destination City
Departure Date
Location Icon Destination Name
  • {{ct.city}}